How I Fixed My Tilt Steering - A Pictorial
12-10-2015, 02:52 PM
#101
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NOS column
So, I spent $1150 to have my column rebuilt. The shop I used had my column apart two times and I don't think they were experienced. I have seen on EBAY I think... A NOS column for around $550 a few months after I went through this process.
I would try that first because my shop had a rough time finding parts. Or so they claimed)
I would try that first because my shop had a rough time finding parts. Or so they claimed)
12-10-2015, 03:59 PM
#102
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Well, I'm guessing the average Chevy dealer today has about zero experience on C4's. So when it comes to tackling this job, the dealer and I would be starting out even. Two things in my favor - 1) I'm not charging ,myself for labor and 2) I have Corvette Forum to get advice from.
The trouble with these complex jobs is the first time is always a bear - dealing with the learning curve. I'm sure if I had 5 of them to do, the second would be easier and the last 3 would be duck soup! But as it is, after the first one I'll probably never do another ever again.
The trouble with these complex jobs is the first time is always a bear - dealing with the learning curve. I'm sure if I had 5 of them to do, the second would be easier and the last 3 would be duck soup! But as it is, after the first one I'll probably never do another ever again.
12-10-2015, 06:45 PM
#103
Burning Brakes
On the way home from our fall road trip the switch inside died, I found a small piece of it on the floor and the whole multifunction lever just flops around loose. And since I have to dig into that, I will also address the slop in the column, others have described it perfectly, about 1 1/2" of play vertical and down to the left. The report of a shop charging $1150 convinced me I will try this myself.
QUESTION 1: I have not read past the first page but OP mentions getting parts from Corvette Steering and a search for them was unsuccessful. Are they still around by a different name, and if not, who would be a good source for the part (preferably one which does not need modification like Junior Samples had to do? (OK, poster's name is BR-549, but we all know whose phone number THAT is!
)
QUESTION 2: FSM specifies a GM tool number for the wheel puller. What's the consensus on that - does my FLAPS have something which will work just as well?
Thank you! Not sure if I will start during this winter or wait till spring. I'll keep y'all posted.
QUESTION 1: I have not read past the first page but OP mentions getting parts from Corvette Steering and a search for them was unsuccessful. Are they still around by a different name, and if not, who would be a good source for the part (preferably one which does not need modification like Junior Samples had to do? (OK, poster's name is BR-549, but we all know whose phone number THAT is!
)QUESTION 2: FSM specifies a GM tool number for the wheel puller. What's the consensus on that - does my FLAPS have something which will work just as well?
Thank you! Not sure if I will start during this winter or wait till spring. I'll keep y'all posted.
Can't answer the question of where to buy the parts!
Good Luck!
12-10-2015, 07:55 PM
#104
Instructor
This is the place that rebuilds and sells parts.
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/
I was able to find the upper steering column knuckle at the local dealer.
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/
I was able to find the upper steering column knuckle at the local dealer.
Last edited by reg_255; 12-10-2015 at 07:56 PM.
12-10-2015, 08:35 PM
#105
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This is the place that rebuilds and sells parts.
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/
I was able to find the upper steering column knuckle at the local dealer.
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/
I was able to find the upper steering column knuckle at the local dealer.
Wow - they are not cheap! 
12-10-2015, 08:36 PM
#106
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08-18-2016, 05:15 PM
#107
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Just a follow-up and resolution on the problem. I had so much on my plate for the summer, and was concerned that if I hit any snags I would miss a good portion of the driving season. There is a dealer in the area who has made a point of being the "go-to" place for Corvettes, both in sales and service.
Since the car had to go to a state approved inspection shop for the annual inspection anyway, and would not have passed the inspection without turn signals, I spent the bucks and had them do the multi-function switch, the steering column issue, and the inspection all at once. They did the work, it was done right, and I have been enjoying driving the car instead of having to tinker.
I still enjoy doing a lot of my own work but in this case I feel I made the right call.
Since the car had to go to a state approved inspection shop for the annual inspection anyway, and would not have passed the inspection without turn signals, I spent the bucks and had them do the multi-function switch, the steering column issue, and the inspection all at once. They did the work, it was done right, and I have been enjoying driving the car instead of having to tinker.
I still enjoy doing a lot of my own work but in this case I feel I made the right call.
08-18-2016, 06:07 PM
#108
Burning Brakes
Steering Wheel Blues
Just a follow-up and resolution on the problem. I had so much on my plate for the summer, and was concerned that if I hit any snags I would miss a good portion of the driving season. There is a dealer in the area who has made a point of being the "go-to" place for Corvettes, both in sales and service.
Since the car had to go to a state approved inspection shop for the annual inspection anyway, and would not have passed the inspection without turn signals, I spent the bucks and had them do the multi-function switch, the steering column issue, and the inspection all at once. They did the work, it was done right, and I have been enjoying driving the car instead of having to tinker.
I still enjoy doing a lot of my own work but in this case I feel I made the right call.
Since the car had to go to a state approved inspection shop for the annual inspection anyway, and would not have passed the inspection without turn signals, I spent the bucks and had them do the multi-function switch, the steering column issue, and the inspection all at once. They did the work, it was done right, and I have been enjoying driving the car instead of having to tinker.
I still enjoy doing a lot of my own work but in this case I feel I made the right call.
08-19-2016, 03:01 PM
#109
Instructor
Just an FYI for anyone with a loose steering column, often times it is only these four bolts that are loose,
which can be tightened without full removal of the steering shaft. This is a very common problem with GM tilt steering wheels that is not exclusive to just the Corvette. In other words, it happens on them all, although I'm sure the Corvette takes more punishment due to the weight it is put under of some people using the steering wheel to get in and out of the car.
There is different degrees of looseness.. These bolts will gradually get looser and looser till the point things like your blinkers or high beams wont engage anymore, it can also get so bad that it damages the column itself, which requires replacement and full removal. So if yours is loose get it tightened now and save some money.
The onset of a loose column is a popping feel in the wheel when turning that comes from the shaft. Then as time goes on it gets to where you can move the wheel around (play). This gradually gets worse and worse until things on the stalk quit working and eventually break.
OP did an excellent job bench rebuilding his column! But I just wanted to let people know that a loose column caught early will prevent such a major undertaking, as just the three bolts shown in OP's photo are usually the problem with a loose column.
- I had to edit this post because I put the wrong photo up and it's 4 bolts rather than three. Sorry but it's fixed now.
which can be tightened without full removal of the steering shaft. This is a very common problem with GM tilt steering wheels that is not exclusive to just the Corvette. In other words, it happens on them all, although I'm sure the Corvette takes more punishment due to the weight it is put under of some people using the steering wheel to get in and out of the car.
There is different degrees of looseness.. These bolts will gradually get looser and looser till the point things like your blinkers or high beams wont engage anymore, it can also get so bad that it damages the column itself, which requires replacement and full removal. So if yours is loose get it tightened now and save some money.
The onset of a loose column is a popping feel in the wheel when turning that comes from the shaft. Then as time goes on it gets to where you can move the wheel around (play). This gradually gets worse and worse until things on the stalk quit working and eventually break.
OP did an excellent job bench rebuilding his column! But I just wanted to let people know that a loose column caught early will prevent such a major undertaking, as just the three bolts shown in OP's photo are usually the problem with a loose column.
- I had to edit this post because I put the wrong photo up and it's 4 bolts rather than three. Sorry but it's fixed now.
Last edited by SELLC; 08-19-2016 at 06:27 PM.
03-15-2017, 11:24 PM
#110
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